How much weight do residency programs put on your undergrad performance?

[neofight]

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Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone knows how much weight residency programs place on undergraduate performance/transcripts when reviewing residency applications.

Thanks!

 

[Castro Viejo]

As far as it seems, programs don't routinely look into your college performance in evaluating your application. The only thing it serves, it became apparent to me during the last few months on the trail, is as interview fodder.

Although there was that one program where the director said, in disdain, "What the hell did you major in in college? Mathematics? And now you wanna be a surgeon? You're one piece of work Wu."

So maybe your college performance or college activities may leave a bad taste in certain peoples' mouhts.

 

[pinbor1]

For the most part they place zero emphasis. I was not asked at all during my residency interviews. I agree with Wu that it is pretty much interview fodder. I know people in ortho that were asked by a very small amount of programs (1-2 out of 50 applications) to send their undergrad transcripts, but it did not seem to make a difference in getting interviews. I think places that send out request like this are just trying to psych applicants out.

The big three that most programs look at are LOR's/Deans Letter, Clerkship grades, and Board Scores.

Don't sweat the small stuff'

 

[Brewster]

Some/all of the SFMatch specialties require your undergrad transcript as part of the application packet. However, I doubt that it is a big part of programs' decisions. Certainly med school performance and LOR play a much greater role.

 

[hotbovie]

None. Zero. Zippo.

I submitted 28 applications for General surgery, got 18 interview offers and went to 14 interviews. Never once was my undergrad GPA of any issue at all.

This is truly a blessing if you are like me...less than stellar start to undergrad, shaped up later in the undergrad career. For me, the bad start was about 20 years prior to my med school applciation, and caused me some trouble with the admissions process (I had to apply twice and take addtional undergrad classes to prove myself). Now, for the first time, the stuff from 20 years ago was completely irrelevant (as it should be). I found I had to explain that my undergrad start wasn't great to partially answer the question why I waited so long for med school

Now, one place I applied sent me a secondary application. It asked for, of all things my high school SAT scores!!!. I didn't fill it out, I decided that any place that cared what my SAT scores were back in the 1970's was not a place that I was interested in going. (assuming I could remember what they were!)

 

[doc-oc!]

For the most part they place zero emphasis. I was not asked at all during my residency interviews. I agree with Wu that it is pretty much interview fodder. I know people in ortho that were asked by a very small amount of programs (1-2 out of 50 applications) to send their undergrad transcripts, but it did not seem to make a difference in getting interviews. I think places that send out request like this are just trying to psych applicants out.

The big three that most programs look at are LOR's/Deans Letter, Clerkship grades, and Board Scores.

Don't sweat the small stuff'

You're like the third person on this forum I've asked this, but do you mean orthodontics or orthopedic surgery?

 

[Kaustikos]

Who the **** cares about undergrad when applying to residency?
You mean they'll judge your pre-med school grades when you're a stellar applicant already?

 

[Psai]

You're like the third person on this forum I've asked this, but do you mean orthodontics or orthopedic surgery?

Wtf...
this place is for doctors why would it be orthodontics

 

[Glandzburg]

You're like the third person on this forum I've asked this, but do you mean orthodontics or orthopedic surgery?

On the medical forums, ortho will always mean orthopedic surgery. Orthodontists start out in dental school as far as I know, and they have their own forum.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Who the **** cares about undergrad when applying to residency?
You mean they'll judge your pre-med school grades when you're a stellar applicant already?

Yes, some particularly competitive programs have been known to ask for undergrad transcripts and MCAT scores.

But nonetheless, this thread is 12 years old.

 

[notbobtrustme]

ERAS doesn't ask you to upload undergrad anything.

Take that for what you will.

 

[W19]

Wtf...
this place is for doctors why would it be orthodontics

Orthodontists are also doctors...

 

[Psai]

Orthodontists are also doctors...

let's be real, when you're bleeding out and you call for a doctor, we all know who you're looking for

 

[fancymylotus]

Wtf...
this place is for doctors why would it be orthodontics

Hey now, they call us teeth people doctors, too ><

 

[fancymylotus]

let's be real, when you're bleeding out and you call for a doctor, we all know who you're looking for

And I am very glad I will never be called if someone is bleeding out.
Way too much responsibility/too scary/fancy does not like.

 

[Kaustikos]

But nonetheless, this thread is 12 years old.

Oops

 

[Wordead]

Hey now, they call us teeth people doctors, too ><

They call the chiropractors that too

Juuuust kidding. I love my dental brethren.

 

[Morzh]

You're like the third person on this forum I've asked this, but do you mean orthodontics or orthopedic surgery?

This is a 12-year-old thread.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

This is a 12-year-old thread.

I know it's 12 years old, but my abbreviated reading of the title led to the response of "about 15 lbs," then I read it more carefully.

 

[67552931811]

notbob got banned?! wth!